Non-Invasive Nerve Activator with Adaptive Circuit

ABSTRACT

A topical nerve activation patch includes a flexible substrate, a dermis conforming bottom surface of the substrate comprising adhesive and adapted to contact a dermis of a user, a flexible top outer surface of the substrate approximately parallel to the bottom surface, a plurality of electrodes positioned on the patch proximal to the bottom surface and located beneath the top outer surface and coupled to the flexible substrate, a power source, and electronic circuitry that generates an output voltage applied to the electrodes. The electronic circuitry includes a controller, a voltage monitoring circuit coupled to the controller, a current monitoring circuit coupled to the controller, a switch coupled to the controller and a boosted voltage circuit coupled to the switch and the power source.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/582,634, filed on Nov. 7, 2017, and to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/661,256, filed on Apr. 23, 2018. The disclosure of each of these applications is hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD

This invention pertains to the activation of nerves by topical stimulators to control or influence muscles, tissues, organs, or sensation, including pain, in mammals, including humans.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Nerve disorders may result in loss of control of muscle and other body functions, loss of sensation, or pain. Surgical procedures and medications sometimes treat these disorders but have limitations. This invention pertains to a system for offering other options for treatment and improvement of function.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an example patch that is affixed to a location behind an ankle bone of a user.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating hardware/software related elements of an example of the patch of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3A is a circuit diagram of an example of a boosted voltage circuit that provides feedback.

FIG. 3B is a circuit diagram of an example of a charge application circuit that uses an output of the boosted voltage circuit.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of the functionality of the controller of monitoring and controlling the output voltage, including its ramp rate.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram in accordance with one example of an adaptive protocol.

FIG. 6 is a Differential Integrator Circuit used in the adaptive protocol in accordance with one example.

FIG. 7 is a table relating charge duration vs. frequency to provide feedback to the adaptive protocol in accordance with one example.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A non-invasive nerve activator in accordance with various examples disclosed herein includes novel circuitry to adequately boost voltage to a required level and to maintain a substantially constant level of charge for nerve activation. Further, a feedback loop provides for an automatic determination and adaptation of the applied charge level.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example patch 100, also referred to as a smart band aid or smartpad or Topical Nerve Activator (“TNA”) or topical nerve activation patch, that is affixed to a location behind an ankle bone 110 of a user 105. In the example of FIG. 1, patch 100 is adapted to activate/stimulate the tibial nerve of user 105. In other examples, patch 100 is worn at different locations of user 105 to activate the tibial nerve from a different location, or to activate a different nerve of user 105.

Patch 100 is used to stimulate these nerves and is convenient, unobtrusive, self-powered, and may be controlled from a smartphone or other control device. This has the advantage of being non-invasive, controlled by consumers themselves, and potentially distributed over the counter without a prescription. Patch 100 provides a means of stimulating nerves without penetrating the dermis, and can be applied to the surface of the dermis at a location appropriate for the nerves of interest. In examples, patch 100 is applied by the user and is disposable.

Patch 100 in examples can be any type of device that can be fixedly attached to a user, using adhesive in some examples, and includes a processor/controller and instructions that are executed by the processor, or a hardware implementation without software instructions, as well as electrodes that apply an electrical stimulation to the surface of the user's skin, and associated electrical circuitry. Patch 100 in one example provides topical nerve activation/stimulation on the user to provide benefits to the user, including bladder management for an overactive bladder (“OAB”).

Patch 100 in one example can include a flexible substrate, a malleable dermis conforming bottom surface of the substrate including adhesive and adapted to contact the dermis, a flexible top outer surface of the substrate approximately parallel to the bottom surface, one or more electrodes positioned on the patch proximal to the bottom surface and located beneath the top outer surface and directly contacting the flexible substrate, electronic circuitry (as disclosed herein) embedded in the patch and located beneath the top outer surface and integrated as a system on a chip that is directly contacting the flexible substrate, the electronic circuitry integrated as a system on a chip and including an electrical signal generator integral to the malleable dermis conforming bottom surface configured to electrically activate the one or more electrodes, a signal activator coupled to the electrical signal generator, a nerve stimulation sensor that provides feedback in response to a stimulation of one or more nerves, an antenna configured to communicate with a remote activation device, a power source in electrical communication with the electrical signal generator, and the signal activator, where the signal activator is configured to activate in response to receipt of a communication with the activation device by the antenna and the electrical signal generator configured to generate one or more electrical stimuli in response to activation by the signal activator, and the electrical stimuli configured to stimulate one or more nerves of a user wearing patch 100 at least at one location proximate to patch 100. Additional details of examples of patch 100 beyond the novel details disclosed herein are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 10,016,600, entitled “Topical Neurological Stimulation”, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating hardware/software related elements of an example of patch 100 of FIG. 1. Patch 100 includes electronic circuits or chips 1000 that perform the functions of: communications with an external control device, such as a smartphone or fob, or external processing such as cloud based processing devices, nerve activation via electrodes 1008 that produce a wide range of electric fields according to a treatment regimen, and a wide range of sensors 1006 such as, but not limited to, mechanical motion and pressure, temperature, humidity, acoustic, chemical and positioning sensors. In another example, patch 100 includes transducers 1014 to transmit signals to the tissue or to receive signals from the tissue.

One arrangement is to integrate a wide variety of these functions into a system on a chip 1000. Within this is shown a control unit 1002 for data processing, communications, transducer interface and storage, and one or more stimulators 1004 and sensors 1006 that are connected to electrodes 1008. Control unit 1002 can be implemented by a general purpose processor/controller, or a specific purpose processor/controller, or a special purpose logical circuit. An antenna 1010 is incorporated for external communications by control unit 1002. Also included is an internal power supply 1012, which may be, for example, a battery. Other examples may include an external power supply. It may be necessary to include more than one chip to accommodate a wide range of voltages for data processing and stimulation. Electronic circuits and chips will communicate with each other via conductive tracks within the device capable of transferring data and/or power.

Patch 100 interprets a data stream from control unit 1002 to separate out message headers and delimiters from control instructions. In one example, control instructions include information such as voltage level and pulse pattern. Patch 100 activates stimulator 1004 to generate a stimulation signal to electrodes 1008 placed on the tissue according to the control instructions. In another example, patch 100 activates transducer 1014 to send a signal to the tissue. In another example, control instructions cause information such as voltage level and a pulse pattern to be retrieved from a library stored by patch 100, such as storage within control unit 1002.

Patch 100 receives sensory signals from the tissue and translates them to a data stream that is recognized by control unit 1002. Sensory signals can include electrical, mechanical, acoustic, optical and chemical signals. Sensory signals are received by patch 100 through electrodes 1008 or from other inputs originating from mechanical, acoustic, optical, or chemical transducers. For example, an electrical signal from the tissue is introduced to patch 100 through electrodes 1008, is converted from an analog signal to a digital signal and then inserted into a data stream that is sent through antenna 1010 to the external control device. In another example an acoustic signal is received by transducer 1014, converted from an analog signal to a digital signal and then inserted into a data stream that is sent through the antenna 1010 to the external control device. In some examples, sensory signals from the tissue are directly interfaced to the external control device for processing.

In examples of patch 100 disclosed above, when being used for therapeutic treatment such as bladder management for OAB, there is a need to control the voltage by boosting the voltage to a selected level and providing the same level of charge upon activation to a mammalian nerve. Further, there is a need to conserve battery life by selectively using battery power. Further, there is a need to create a compact electronics package to facilitate mounting the electronics package on a relatively small mammalian dermal patch in the range of the size of an ordinary band aid.

To meet the above needs, examples implement a novel boosted voltage circuit that includes a feedback circuit and a charge application circuit. FIG. 3A is a circuit diagram of an example of the boosted voltage circuit 200 that provides feedback. FIG. 3B is a circuit diagram of an example of a charge application circuit 300 that uses an output of boosted voltage circuit 200. Boosted voltage circuit 200 includes both electrical components and a controller/processor 270 that includes a sequence of instructions that together modify the voltage level of activation/stimulation delivered to the external dermis of user 105 by patch 100 through electrodes. Controller/processor 270 in examples implements control unit 1002 of FIG. 2.

Boosted voltage circuit 200 can replace an independent analog-controlled boost regulator by using a digital control loop to create a regulated voltage, output voltage 250, from the battery source. Output voltage 250 is provided as an input voltage to charge application circuit 300. In examples, this voltage provides nerve stimulation currents through the dermis/skin to deliver therapy for an overactive bladder. Output voltage 250, or “VB_(oost)”, at voltage output node 250, uses two digital feedback paths 220, 230, through controller 270. In each of these paths, controller 270 uses sequences of instructions to interpret the measured voltages at voltage monitor 226, or “V_(ADC)” and current monitor 234, or “I_(ADC)”, and determines the proper output control for accurate and stable output voltage 250.

Boosted voltage circuit 200 includes an inductor 212, a diode 214, a capacitor 216 that together implement a boosted converter circuit 210. A voltage monitoring circuit 220 includes a resistor divider formed by a top resistor 222, or “R_(T)”, a bottom resistor 224, or “R_(B)” and voltage monitor 226. A current monitoring circuit 230 includes a current measuring resistor 232, or “R_(I)” and current monitor 234. A pulse width modulation (“PWM”) circuit 240 includes a field-effect transistor (“FET”) switch 242, and a PWM driver 244. Output voltage 250 functions as a sink for the electrical energy. An input voltage 260, or “V_(BAT)”, is the source for the electrical energy, and can be implemented by power 1012 of FIG. 2.

PWM circuit 240 alters the “on” time within a digital square wave, fixed frequency signal to change the ratio of time that a power switch is commanded to be “on” versus “off.” In boosted voltage circuit 200, PWM driver 244 drives FET switch 242 to “on” and “off” states.

In operation, when FET switch 242 is on, i.e., conducting, the drain of FET switch 242 is brought down to Ground/GND or ground node 270. FET switch 242 remains on until its current reaches a level selected by controller 270 acting as a servo controller. This current is measured as a representative voltage on current measuring resistor 232 detected by current monitor 234. Due to the inductance of inductor 212, energy is stored in the magnetic field within inductor 212. The current flows through current measuring resistor 232 to ground until FET switch 242 is opened by PWM driver 244.

When the intended pulse width duration is achieved, controller 270 turns off FET switch 242. The current in inductor 212 reroutes from FET switch 242 to diode 214, causing diode 214 to forward current. Diode 214 charges capacitor 216. Therefore, the voltage level at capacitor 216 is controlled by controller 270.

Output voltage 250 is controlled using an outer servo loop of voltage monitor 226 and controller 270. Output voltage 250 is measured by the resistor divider using top resistor 222, bottom resistor 224, and voltage monitor 226. The values of top resistor 222 and bottom resistor 224 are selected to keep the voltage across bottom resistor 224 within the monitoring range of voltage monitor 226. Controller 270 monitors the output value from voltage monitor 226.

Charge application circuit 300 includes a pulse application circuit 310 that includes an enable switch 314. Controller 270 does not allow enable switch 314 to turn on unless output voltage 250 is within a desired upper and lower range of the desired value of output voltage 250. Pulse application circuit 310 is operated by controller 270 by asserting an enable signal 312, or “VSW”, which turns on enable switch 314 to pass the electrical energy represented by output voltage 250 through electrodes 320. At the same time, controller 270 continues to monitor output voltage 250 and controls PWM driver 244 to switch FET switch 242 on and off and to maintain capacitor 216 to the desired value of output voltage 250.

The stability of output voltage 250 can be increased by an optional inner feedback loop through FET Switch 242, current measuring resistor 232, and current monitor 234. Controller 270 monitors the output value from current monitor 234 at a faster rate than the monitoring on voltage monitor 226 so that the variations in the voltages achieved at the cathode of diode 214 are minimized, thereby improving control of the voltage swing and load sensitivity of output voltage 250.

In one example, a voltage doubler circuit is added to boosted voltage circuit 200 to double the high voltage output or to reduce voltage stress on FET 242. The voltage doubler circuit builds charge in a transfer capacitor when FET 242 is turned on and adds voltage to the output of boosted voltage circuit 200 when FET 242 is turned off.

As described, in examples, controller 270 uses multiple feedback loops to adjust the duty cycle of PWM driver 244 to create a stable output voltage 250 across a range of values. Controller 270 uses multiple feedback loops and monitoring circuit parameters to control output voltage 250 and to evaluate a proper function of the hardware. Controller 270 acts on the feedback and monitoring values in order to provide improved patient safety and reduced electrical hazard by disabling incorrect electrical functions.

In some examples, controller 270 implements the monitoring instructions in firmware or software code. In some examples, controller 270 implements the monitoring instructions in a hardware state machine.

In some examples, voltage monitor 226 is an internal feature of controller 270. In some examples, voltage monitor 226 is an external component, which delivers its digital output value to a digital input port of controller 270.

In some examples, current monitor 234 is an internal feature of controller 270. In some examples, current monitor 234 is an external component, which delivers its digital output value to a digital input port of controller 270.

An advantage of boosted voltage circuit 200 over known circuits is decreased component count which may result in reduced costs, reduced circuit board size and higher reliability. Further, booted voltage circuit 200 provides for centralized processing of all feedback data which leads to faster response to malfunctions. Further, boosted voltage circuit 200 controls outflow current from V_(BAT) 260, which increases the battery's lifetime and reliability.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of the functionality of controller 270 of monitoring and controlling output voltage 250, including its ramp rate. In one example, the functionality of the flow diagram of FIG. 4, and FIG. 5 below, is implemented by software stored in memory or other computer readable or tangible medium, and executed by a processor. In other examples, the functionality may be performed by hardware (e.g., through the use of an application-specific integrated circuit (“ASIC”), a programmable gate array (“PGA”), a field programmable gate array (“FPGA”), etc.), or any combination of hardware and software.

The pulse width modulation of FET switch 242 is controlled by one or more pulses for which the setting of each pulse width allows more or less charge to accumulate as a voltage at capacitor 216 through diode 214. This pulse width setting is referred to as the ramp strength and it is initialized at 410. Controller 270 enables each pulse group in sequence with a pre-determined pulse width, one stage at a time, using a stage index that is initialized at 412. The desired ramp strength is converted to a pulse width at 424, which enables and disables FET switch 242 according to the pulse width. During the intervals when FET switch 242 is “on”, the current is measured by current monitor 234 at 430 and checked against the expected value at 436. When the current reaches the expected value, the stage is complete and the stage index is incremented at 440. If the desired number of stages have been applied 442, then the functionality is complete. Otherwise, the functionality continues to the next stage at 420.

As a result of the functionality of FIG. 4, V_(BAT) 260 used in patch 100 operates for longer periods as the current drawn from the battery ramps at a low rate of increase to reduce the peak current needed to achieve the final voltage level 250 for each activation/stimulation treatment. PWM 244 duty cycle is adjusted by controller 270 to change the ramp strength at 410 to improve the useful life of the battery.

An open loop protocol to control current to electrodes in known neural stimulation devices does not have feedback controls. It commands a voltage to be set, but does not check the actual current delivered. A stimulation pulse is sent based on preset parameters and cannot be modified based on feedback from the patient's anatomy. When the device is removed and repositioned, the electrode placement varies. Also the humidity and temperature of the anatomy changes throughout the day. All these factors affect the actual charge delivery if the voltage is preset. Charge control is a patient safety feature and facilitates an improvement in patient comfort, treatment consistency and efficacy of treatment.

In contrast, examples of patch 100 includes features that address these shortcomings using controller 270 to regulate the charge applied by electrodes 320. Controller 270 samples the voltage of the stimulation waveform, providing feedback and impedance calculations for an adaptive protocol to modify the stimulation waveform in real time. The current delivered to the anatomy by the stimulation waveform is integrated using a differential integrator and sampled and then summed to determine the actual charge delivered to the user for a treatment, such as OAB treatment. After every pulse in a stimulation event, this data is analyzed and used to modify, in real time, subsequent pulses.

This hardware adaptation allows a firmware protocol to implement the adaptive protocol. This protocol regulates the charge applied to the body by changing output voltage (“V_(BOOST)”) 250. A treatment is performed by a sequence of periodic pulses, which deliver charge into the body through electrodes 320. Some of the parameters of the treatment are fixed and some are user adjustable. The strength, duration and frequency may be user adjustable. The user may adjust these parameters as necessary for comfort and efficacy. The strength may be lowered if there is discomfort and raised if nothing is felt. The duration can be increased if the maximum acceptable strength results in an ineffective treatment.

A flow diagram in accordance with one example of the adaptive protocol disclosed above is shown in FIG. 5. The adaptive protocol strives to repeatedly and reliably deliver a target charge (“Q_(target)”) during a treatment and to account for any environmental changes. Therefore, the functionality of FIG. 5 is to adjust the charge level applied to a user based on feedback, rather than use a constant level.

The mathematical expression of this protocol is as follows: Q_(target)=Q_(target)(A*dS+B*dT), where A is the Strength Coefficient—determined empirically, dS is the user change in Strength, B is the Duration Coefficient—determined empirically, and dT is the user change in Duration.

The adaptive protocol includes two phases in one example: Acquisition phase 500 and Reproduction phase 520. Any change in user parameters places the adaptive protocol in the Acquisition phase. When the first treatment is started, a new baseline charge is computed based on the new parameters. At a new acquisition phase at 502, all data from the previous charge application is discarded. In one example, 502 indicates the first time for the current usage where the user places patch 100 on a portion of the body and manually adjusts the charge level, which is a series of charge pulses, until it feels suitable, or any time the charge level is changed, either manually or automatically. The treatment then starts. The mathematical expression of this function of the application of a charge is as follows:

The charge delivered in a treatment is

$Q_{target} = {\sum\limits_{i = 1}^{T*f}{Q_{pulse}(i)}}$

Where T is the duration; f is the frequency of “Rep Rate”; Q_(pulse) (i) is the measured charge delivered by Pulse (i) in the treatment pulse train provided as a voltage MON_CURRENT that is the result of a Differential Integrator circuit shown in FIG. 6 (i.e., the average amount of charge per pulse). Differential Integrator circuit 700 of FIG. 6 is an example of a circuit used to integrate current measured over time and quantify the delivered charge and therefore determine the charge output over a treatment pulse. The number of pulses in the treatment is T*f.

As shown in of FIG. 6, MON_CURRENT 760 is the result of the Differential Integrator Circuit 700. The Analog to Digital Conversion (“ADC”) 710 feature is used to quantify voltage into a number representing the delivered charge. The voltage is measured between Electrode A 720 and Electrode B 730, using a Kelvin Connection 740. Electrode A 720 and Electrode B 730 are connected to a header 750. A reference voltage, VREF 770, is included to keep the measurement in range.

In some examples, Analog to Digital Conversion 710 is an internal feature of controller 270. In some examples, Analog to Digital Conversion 710 is an external component, which delivers its digital output value to a digital input port on Controller 270.

At 504 and 506, every pulse is sampled. In one example, the functionality of 504 and 506 lasts for 10 seconds with a pulse rate of 20 Hz, which can be considered a full treatment cycle. The result of Acquisition phase 500 is the target pulse charge of Q_(target).

FIG. 7 is a table in accordance with one example showing the number of pulses per treatment measured against two parameters, frequency and duration. Frequency is shown on the Y-axis and duration on the X-axis. The adaptive protocol in general performs better when using more pulses. One example uses a minimum of 100 pulses to provide for solid convergence of charge data feedback, although a less number of pulses can be used in other examples. Referring to the FIG. 7, a frequency setting of 20Hz and duration of 10 seconds produces 200 pulses.

The reproduction phase 520 begins in one example when the user initiates another subsequent treatment after acquisition phase 500 and the resulting acquisition of the baseline charge, Q_(target). For example, a full treatment cycle, as discussed above, may take 10 seconds. After, for example, a two-hour pause as shown at wait period 522, the user may then initiate another treatment. During this phase, the adaptive protocol attempts to deliver Q_(target) for each subsequent treatment. The functionality of reproduction phase 520 is needed because, during the wait period 522, conditions such as the impedance of the user's body due to sweat or air humidity may have changed. The differential integrator is sampled at the end of each Pulse in the Treatment. At that point, the next treatment is started and the differential integrator is sampled for each pulse at 524 for purposes of comparison to the acquisition phase Q_(target). Sampling the pulse includes measuring the output of the pulse in terms of total electric charge. The output of the integrator of FIG. 6 in voltage, referred to as Mon_Current 760, is a direct linear relationship to the delivered charge and provides a reading of how much charge is leaving the device and entering the user. At 526, each single pulse is compared to the charge value determined in Acquisition phase 500 (i.e., the target charge) and the next pulse will be adjusted in the direction of the difference.

NUM_PULSES=(T*f)

After each pulse, the observed charge, Q_(pulse)(i), is compared to the expected charge per pulse.

Q _(pulse)(i)>Q _(target)/NUM_PULSES?

The output charge or “V_(BOOST)” is then modified at either 528 (decreasing) or 530 (increasing) for the subsequent pulse by:

dV(i)=G[Q _(target)/NUM_PULSES−Q _(pulse)(i)]

where G is the Voltage adjustment Coefficient—determined empirically. The process continues until the last pulse at 532.

A safety feature assures that the VBOOST will never be adjusted higher by more than 10%. If more charge is necessary, then the repetition rate or duration can be increased.

In one example a boosted voltage circuit uses dedicated circuits to servo the boosted voltage. These circuits process voltage and/or current measurements to control the PWM duty cycle of the boosted voltage circuit's switch. The system controller can set the voltage by adjusting the gain of the feedback loop in the boosted voltage circuit. This is done with a digital potentiometer or other digital to analog circuit.

In one example, in general, the current is sampled for every pulse during acquisition phase 500 to establish target charge for reproduction. The voltage is then adjusted via a digital potentiometer, herein referred to as “Pot”, during reproduction phase 520 to achieve the established target_charge.

The digital Pot is calibrated with the actual voltage at startup. A table is generated with sampled voltage for each wiper value. Tables are also precomputed storing the Pot wiper increment needed for 1 v and 5 v output delta at each pot level. This enables quick reference for voltage adjustments during the reproduction phase. The tables may need periodic recalibration due to battery level.

In one example, during acquisition phase 500, the data set=100 pulses and every pulse is sampled and the average is used as the target_charge for reproduction phase 520. In general, fewer pulses provide a weaker data sample to use as a basis for reproduction phase 520.

In one example, during acquisition phase 500, the maximum data set=1000 pulses. The maximum is used to avoid overflow of 32bit integers in accumulating the sum of samples. Further, 1000 pulses in one example is a sufficiently large data set and collecting more is likely unnecessary.

After 1000 pulses for the above example, the target_charge is computed. Additional pulses beyond 1000 in the acquisition phase do not contribute to the computation of the target charge. In other examples, the maximum data set is greater than 1000 pulses when longer treatment cycle times are desired.

In one example, the first 3-4 pulses are generally higher than the rest so these are not used in acquisition phase 500. This is also accounted for in reproduction phase 520. Using these too high values can result in target charge being set too high and over stimulating on the subsequent treatments in reproduction phase 520. In other examples, more advanced averaging algorithms could be applied to eliminate high and low values.

In an example, there may be a safety concern about automatically increasing the voltage. For example, if there is poor connection between the device and the user's skin, the voltage may auto-adjust at 530 up to the max. The impedance may then be reduced, for example by the user pressing the device firmly, which may result in a sudden high current. Therefore, in one example, if the sample is 500 mv or more higher than the target, it immediately adjusts to the minimum voltage. This example then remains in reproduction phase 520 and should adjust back to the target current/charge level. In another example, the maximum voltage increase is set for a single treatment (e.g., 10V). More than that is not needed to achieve the established target_charge. In another example, a max is set for VBOOST (e.g., 80V).

In various examples, it is desired to have stability during reproduction phase 520. In one example, this is accomplished by adjusting the voltage by steps. However, a relatively large step adjustment can result in oscillation or over stimulation. Therefore, voltage adjustments may be made in smaller steps. The step size may be based on both the delta between the target and sample current as well as on the actual VBOOST voltage level. This facilitates a quick and stable/smooth convergence to the target charge and uses a more gradual adjustments at lower voltages for more sensitive users.

The following are the conditions that may be evaluated to determine the adjustment step.

-   -   delta-mon_current=abs(sample_mon_current−target_charge)     -   If delta_mon_current>500 mv and VBOOST>20V then step=5V for         increase adjustments     -   (For decrease adjustments a 500 mv delta triggers emergency         decrease to minimum Voltage)     -   If delta_mon_current>200mv then step=1V     -   If delta_mon_current>100mv and         delta_mon_current>5%*sample_mon_current then step=1V

In other examples, new treatments are started with voltage lower than target voltage with a voltage buffer of approximately 10%. The impedance is unknown at the treatment start. These examples save the target_voltage in use at the end of a treatment. If the user has not adjusted the strength parameter manually, it starts a new treatment with saved target_voltage with the 10% buffer. This achieves target current quickly with the 10% buffer to avoid possible over stimulation in case impedance has been reduced. This also compensates for the first 3-4 pulses that are generally higher.

As disclosed, examples apply an initial charge level, and then automatically adjust based on feedback of the amount of current being applied. The charge amount can be varied up or down while being applied. Therefore, rather than setting and then applying a fixed voltage level throughout a treatment cycle, implementations of the invention measure the amount of charge that is being input to the user, and adjust accordingly throughout the treatment to maintain a target charge level that is suitable for the current environment.

The Adaptive Circuit described above provides the means to monitor the charge sent through the electrodes to the user's tissue and to adjust the strength and duration of sending charge so as to adapt to changes in the impedance through the electrode-to-skin interface and through the user's tissue such that the field strength at the target nerve is within the bounds needed to overcome the action potential of that nerve at that location and activate a nerve impulse. These changes in impedance may be caused by environmental changes, such as wetness or dryness of the skin or underlying tissue, or by applied lotion or the like; or by tissue changes, such as skin dryness; or by changes in the device's placement on the user's skin, such as by removing the patch and re-applying it in a different location or orientation relative to the target nerve; or by combinations of the above and other factors.

The combined circuits and circuit controls disclose herein generate a charge that is repeated on subsequent uses. The voltage boost conserves battery power by generating voltage on demand. The result is an effective and compact electronics package suitable for mounting on or in a fabric or similar material for adherence to a dermis that allows electrodes to be placed near selected nerves to be activated.

Several examples are specifically illustrated and/or described herein. However, it will be appreciated that modifications and variations of the disclosed examples are covered by the above teachings and within the purview of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and intended scope of the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A topical nerve activation patch comprising: a flexible substrate; a dermis conforming bottom surface of the substrate comprising adhesive and adapted to contact a dermis of a user; a flexible top outer surface of the substrate approximately parallel to the bottom surface; a plurality of electrodes positioned on the patch proximal to the bottom surface and located beneath the top outer surface and coupled to the flexible substrate; a power source; and electronic circuitry embedded in the patch and located beneath the top outer surface and coupled to the flexible substrate, the electronic circuitry generating an output voltage applied to the electrodes, the electronic circuitry comprising: a controller; a voltage monitoring circuit coupled to the controller; a current monitoring circuit coupled to the controller; a switch coupled to the controller; and a boosted voltage circuit coupled to the switch and the power source.
 2. The topical nerve activation patch of claim 1, the voltage monitoring circuit measuring a level of the output voltage and comprising a resistor divider.
 3. The topical nerve activation patch of claim 1, the current monitoring circuit measuring a level of current applied by the electrodes.
 4. The topical nerve activation patch of claim 1, the switch configured to switch on and off to generate a pulse width modulation that comprises the output voltage, the switch controlled by the controller.
 5. The topical nerve activation patch of claim 1, the electronic circuitry further comprising: a voltage output node coupled to at least one of the electrodes; a ground node coupled to at least one of the electrodes; the boosted voltage circuit comprising: an inductor coupled to the power source and the switch; a diode coupled to the inductor and the switch; and a capacitor coupled to the diode, the ground node and the voltage output node.
 6. The topical nerve activation patch of claim 1, the controller, when the patch is coupled to the user to generate a treatment, is configured to: determine a target charge level; output a series of pulses from the electrodes; for each pulse outputted, measure a charge value of the pulse and compare the charge value to the target charge level; if the charge value is greater than the target charge level, reduce a strength level of a subsequent outputted pulse; and if the charge value is less than the target charge level, increase the strength level of a subsequent outputted pulse.
 7. The topical nerve activation patch of claim 6, in which the series of pulses are defined based on a frequency and duration.
 8. The topical nerve activation patch of claim 6, in which determining the target charge level Q_(target) comprises generating an acquisition series of pulses and ${Q_{target} = {\sum\limits_{i = 1}^{T*f}{Q_{pulse}(i)}}},$ where T is a duration of the acquisition series of pulses, f is a frequency of the acquisition series of pulses and Q_(pulse) (i) is a measured charge of each of the acquisition series of pulses.
 9. The topical nerve activation patch of claim 6, the electronic circuitry further comprising a differential integrator, the charge value of the pulse based on an output of the differential integrator.
 10. The topical nerve activation patch of claim 1, the controller adapted to control a level of the output voltage based on a measurement of voltage from the voltage monitoring circuit and a measurement of current from the current monitoring circuit.
 11. The topical nerve activation patch of claim 10, the level of the output voltage controlled by setting a one or more pulses of a pulse width modulation generated by the switch, the setting controlling a ramp rate of the output voltage.
 12. The topical nerve activation patch of claim 1, the electronic circuitry further comprising a voltage doubler circuit.
 13. A method of activating a nerve of a user, the method comprising: attaching to the user a topical nerve activation patch, the patch comprising: a flexible substrate; a dermis conforming bottom surface of the substrate comprising adhesive and contacting a dermis of the user; a flexible top outer surface of the substrate approximately parallel to the bottom surface; a plurality of electrodes positioned on the patch proximal to the bottom surface and located beneath the top outer surface and coupled to the flexible substrate; a power source; and electronic circuitry embedded in the patch and located beneath the top outer surface and coupled to the flexible substrate; generating an output voltage applied to the electrodes via the electronic circuitry, the electronic circuitry comprising: a controller; a voltage monitoring circuit coupled to the controller; a current monitoring circuit coupled to the controller; a switch coupled to the controller; and a boosted voltage circuit coupled to the switch and the power source.
 14. The method of claim 13, the voltage monitoring circuit comprising a resistor divider, the method further comprising measuring a level of the output voltage.
 15. The method of claim 13, further comprising measuring a level of current applied by the electrodes.
 16. The method of claim 13, further comprising: determining a target charge level; outputting a series of pulses from the electrodes; for each pulse outputted, measuring a charge value of the pulse and compare the charge value to the target charge level; if the charge value is greater than the target charge level, reducing a strength level of a subsequent outputted pulse; and if the charge value is less than the target charge level, increasing the strength level of a subsequent outputted pulse.
 17. The method of claim 13, further comprising controlling a level of the output voltage based on a measurement of voltage from the voltage monitoring circuit and a measurement of current from the current monitoring circuit.
 18. The method of claim 17, the level of the output voltage controlled by setting a one or more pulses of a pulse width modulation generated by the switch, the setting controlling a ramp rate of the output voltage.
 19. The method of claim 13, further comprising using a voltage doubler circuit to increase the output voltage.
 20. The method of claim 13, the output voltage applied to the electrodes activating a tibial nerve of the user to reduce an overactive bladder. 